Former British prime minister Boris Johnson says there is 'no evidence that I knowingly or recklessly misled Parliament'. EPA
Former British prime minister Boris Johnson says there is 'no evidence that I knowingly or recklessly misled Parliament'. EPA
Former British prime minister Boris Johnson says there is 'no evidence that I knowingly or recklessly misled Parliament'. EPA
Former British prime minister Boris Johnson says there is 'no evidence that I knowingly or recklessly misled Parliament'. EPA

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Boris Johnson hearing: Rishi Sunak will give MPs free vote on any partygate sanctions

PM fails to back one of his predecessors, who is preparing to face a committee over claims he lied to Parliament over lockdown scandal

Gillian Duncan
Gillian Duncan

March 21, 2023

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Prime Minister Rishi Sunak says he will not tell Conservative MPs how to vote on any potential sanctions a committee may recommend for Boris Johnson over his alleged partygate involvement.

Former prime minister Mr Johnson is preparing to face an investigation over claims he lied to Parliament over the scandal about parties and other gatherings of government and Conservative Party staff held during Covid-19 lockdowns.

Mr Johnson will give evidence before a committee on Wednesday, in a session that could determine his political future.

If he is found in contempt of Parliament, Mr Johnson could be suspended from the House of Commons and even face a recall petition, which could lead to a by-election, giving his constituents in Uxbridge and South Ruislip the chance to remove him.

However, Mr Sunak has said he will not instruct MPs on how to vote on any sanctions the committee may recommend.

The Prime Minister told BBC Breakfast: "These are matters for Parliament and the house and MPs as individuals, rather than for government. So that is the general process that we will follow."

Asked whether he agreed with the portrayal of the inquiry as a witch hunt by some of Mr Johnson's associates, Mr Sunak said: "That's ultimately something for Boris Johnson and he'll have the committee process to go through and that's a matter for Parliament. That's not what I'm focused on."

Mr Johnson is facing a wait for the publication of his defence to allegations he lied, which allies claim will provide evidence that he did not mislead Parliament knowingly.

The former prime minister's allies urged the cross-party Privileges Committee to publish his testimony "as soon as possible" after turning it over on Monday afternoon.

But clerks and lawyers are still combing through the lengthy document.

Mr Johnson was asked to provide a written submission in July last year but submitted it only 48 hours before his televised questioning by the committee on Wednesday afternoon.

The committee confirmed it had received the evidence, key to Mr Johnson's political future, at 2.32pm on Monday.

Conor Burns, a Tory MP who served as a minister in Mr Johnson's government, has raised questions about the committee's chairwoman, Labour grandee Harriet Harman, while Conservative peer Lord Greenhalgh backed a campaign for the four Conservative MPs on the Tory-majority committee to pull out of the "kangaroo court".

Mr Burns, a long-standing ally of Mr Johnson, who served under him at Westminster and London City Hall, told Times Radio: "I'm concerned that it will be a witch hunt."

Boris Johnson through the years - in pictures

Boris Johnson has had an eventful time during his life in politics and journalism. Here, 'The National' looks back at his life in pictures. Getty Images
Boris Johnson has had an eventful time during his life in politics and journalism. Here, 'The National' looks back at his life in pictures. Getty Images
Mr Johnson attends the coronation ceremony of Britain's King Charles III at Westminster Abbey in May. Getty Images
Mr Johnson attends the coronation ceremony of Britain's King Charles III at Westminster Abbey in May. Getty Images
Mr Johnson leaves his home to attend a televised evidence session in March in front of the Commons Privileges Committee. Getty Images
Mr Johnson leaves his home to attend a televised evidence session in March in front of the Commons Privileges Committee. Getty Images
Mr Johnson listening to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy address parliamentarians in Westminster Hall in February. Getty Images
Mr Johnson listening to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy address parliamentarians in Westminster Hall in February. Getty Images
Mr Johnson and Carrie Johnson arrive at Westminster Abbey for the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022. Getty Images
Mr Johnson and Carrie Johnson arrive at Westminster Abbey for the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022. Getty Images
Mr Johnson he announces his resignation as prime minister outside 10 Downing Street in July 2022. Getty Images
Mr Johnson he announces his resignation as prime minister outside 10 Downing Street in July 2022. Getty Images
Mr Johnson at a press conference in response to the publication of the Sue Gray report into Partygate at Downing Street in May 2022. Getty Images
Mr Johnson at a press conference in response to the publication of the Sue Gray report into Partygate at Downing Street in May 2022. Getty Images
Mr Johnson reads the long-awaited report by senior civil servant Sue Gray into the Downing Street party scandal, in his Downing Street office in May 2022. Photo: Downing Street
Mr Johnson reads the long-awaited report by senior civil servant Sue Gray into the Downing Street party scandal, in his Downing Street office in May 2022. Photo: Downing Street
Mr Johnson and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in central Kyiv in April 2022. The British prime minister paid an unannounced visit to Kyiv in a show of solidarity with Ukraine. AFP
Mr Johnson and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in central Kyiv in April 2022. The British prime minister paid an unannounced visit to Kyiv in a show of solidarity with Ukraine. AFP
Mr Johnson watches an early morning police raid on a home in Liverpool as part of an operation to thwart drug dealing, in December, 2021. Getty Images
Mr Johnson watches an early morning police raid on a home in Liverpool as part of an operation to thwart drug dealing, in December, 2021. Getty Images
The prime minister battles with his umbrella while with Prince Charles at The National Memorial Arboretum in July 2021, in Stafford, England. Getty Images
The prime minister battles with his umbrella while with Prince Charles at The National Memorial Arboretum in July 2021, in Stafford, England. Getty Images
Mr Johnson and his wife before the Uefa European Championship final between Italy and England at Wembley Stadium, London, in July last year. Getty Images
Mr Johnson and his wife before the Uefa European Championship final between Italy and England at Wembley Stadium, London, in July last year. Getty Images
The British prime minister with US President Joe Biden, European Council President Charles Michel, former Japanese prime minister Yoshihide Suga and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi during the G7 Summit in Cornwall, in June 2021. Getty Images
The British prime minister with US President Joe Biden, European Council President Charles Michel, former Japanese prime minister Yoshihide Suga and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi during the G7 Summit in Cornwall, in June 2021. Getty Images
Mr Johnson with his wife Carrie in the garden of 10 Downing Street after their wedding at Westminster Cathedral, in May last year. Getty Images
Mr Johnson with his wife Carrie in the garden of 10 Downing Street after their wedding at Westminster Cathedral, in May last year. Getty Images
Boris Johnson visits Hartlepool after Conservative Party candidate Jill Mortimer won a parliamentary by-election in May, 2021. Getty Images
Boris Johnson visits Hartlepool after Conservative Party candidate Jill Mortimer won a parliamentary by-election in May, 2021. Getty Images
The prime minister after receiving the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine at St Thomas' Hospital in London in March, 2021. Getty Images
The prime minister after receiving the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine at St Thomas' Hospital in London in March, 2021. Getty Images
Boris Johnson after signing a Brexit trade deal with the EU in December 2020. Getty Images
Boris Johnson after signing a Brexit trade deal with the EU in December 2020. Getty Images
Mr Johnson examines a vial of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 candidate vaccine, at a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Wrexham, Wales, in November 2020. Getty
Mr Johnson examines a vial of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 candidate vaccine, at a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Wrexham, Wales, in November 2020. Getty
Mr Johnson demonstrating the two-metre distancing rule during his visit to St Joseph's Catholic Primary School in Upminster, East London, in August 2020. PA
Mr Johnson demonstrating the two-metre distancing rule during his visit to St Joseph's Catholic Primary School in Upminster, East London, in August 2020. PA
In this photo, published alongside the Sue Gray report into the Partygate affair, Mr Johnson is seen at a gathering in the Cabinet Room in 10 Downing Street on his birthday in June, 2020. Getty Images
In this photo, published alongside the Sue Gray report into the Partygate affair, Mr Johnson is seen at a gathering in the Cabinet Room in 10 Downing Street on his birthday in June, 2020. Getty Images
Mr Johnson and former chancellor Rishi Sunak use hand sanitiser during a visit to the Pizza Pilgrims restaurant in June 2020, in east London, to see how they are getting their business ready to reopen as coronavirus lockdown restrictions were lifted in England. PA
Mr Johnson and former chancellor Rishi Sunak use hand sanitiser during a visit to the Pizza Pilgrims restaurant in June 2020, in east London, to see how they are getting their business ready to reopen as coronavirus lockdown restrictions were lifted in England. PA
Mr Johnson and his fiancee Carrie Symonds applaud key workers outside 10 Downing Street in May 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic. Getty Images
Mr Johnson and his fiancee Carrie Symonds applaud key workers outside 10 Downing Street in May 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic. Getty Images
Mr Johnson in the Cabinet Room observing a minute's silence in April 2020 in a tribute to the health staff and key workers who died during the coronavirus outbreak. PA
Mr Johnson in the Cabinet Room observing a minute's silence in April 2020 in a tribute to the health staff and key workers who died during the coronavirus outbreak. PA
Boris Johnson appears on monitors for a meeting in March 2020. The prime minister chaired morning meetings on the coronavirus remotely from Number 11 Downing Street, while self-isolating after testing positive for the virus. Reuters
Boris Johnson appears on monitors for a meeting in March 2020. The prime minister chaired morning meetings on the coronavirus remotely from Number 11 Downing Street, while self-isolating after testing positive for the virus. Reuters
Members of a family listen as BMr ris Johnson makes a televised address to the nation from 10 Downing Street in March 2020, where he outlined the latest instructions to stay at home to help contain the Covid-19 outbreak. AFP
Members of a family listen as BMr ris Johnson makes a televised address to the nation from 10 Downing Street in March 2020, where he outlined the latest instructions to stay at home to help contain the Covid-19 outbreak. AFP
Mr Johnson speaks to British troops stationed in Estonia during a one-day visit to the Baltic country in December 2019. Getty Images
Mr Johnson speaks to British troops stationed in Estonia during a one-day visit to the Baltic country in December 2019. Getty Images
Mr Johnson and Carrie Symonds enter Downing Street as the Conservatives celebrate a sweeping election victory in December 2019. Getty
Mr Johnson and Carrie Symonds enter Downing Street as the Conservatives celebrate a sweeping election victory in December 2019. Getty
Boris Johnson is greeted by staff at 10 Downing Street after meeting Queen Elizabeth II and accepting her invitation to form a new government in December 2012. PA
Boris Johnson is greeted by staff at 10 Downing Street after meeting Queen Elizabeth II and accepting her invitation to form a new government in December 2012. PA
Former US president Donald Trump and Mr Johnson arrive for a bilateral meeting during the G7 summit in August 2019 in Biarritz, France. Getty
Former US president Donald Trump and Mr Johnson arrive for a bilateral meeting during the G7 summit in August 2019 in Biarritz, France. Getty
The queen welcomes Mr Johnson as the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party, during an audience in July 2019. Getty Images
The queen welcomes Mr Johnson as the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party, during an audience in July 2019. Getty Images
Mr Johnson, then Britain's foreign secretary, stands in front of St Basil's Cathedral during a visit to Moscow's Red Square in December 2017. Getty
Mr Johnson, then Britain's foreign secretary, stands in front of St Basil's Cathedral during a visit to Moscow's Red Square in December 2017. Getty
Mr Johnson collides with a child during a Street Rugby tournament in Tokyo in 2015, held to mark Japan hosting the 2019 Rugby World Cup
Mr Johnson collides with a child during a Street Rugby tournament in Tokyo in 2015, held to mark Japan hosting the 2019 Rugby World Cup
As mayor of London Mr Johnson competes in a tug-of-war in October 2015. Getty Images
As mayor of London Mr Johnson competes in a tug-of-war in October 2015. Getty Images
The Olympic Flag is passed from Mr Johnson to IOC President Jacques Rogge during the closing ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Getty Images
The Olympic Flag is passed from Mr Johnson to IOC President Jacques Rogge during the closing ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Getty Images
Mayor of London Boris Johnson with Prime Minister David Cameron during the lighting of the Paralympic Cauldron in Trafalgar Square, in August 2012. PA
Mayor of London Boris Johnson with Prime Minister David Cameron during the lighting of the Paralympic Cauldron in Trafalgar Square, in August 2012. PA
Boris Johnson gets stuck on a zip-line during a BT London Live event in Victoria Park in August 2012. Getty
Boris Johnson gets stuck on a zip-line during a BT London Live event in Victoria Park in August 2012. Getty
Mr Johnson and Lord Sebastian Coe cheer as a giant set of Olympic rings is displayed from Tower Bridge in June 2012, Getty Images
Mr Johnson and Lord Sebastian Coe cheer as a giant set of Olympic rings is displayed from Tower Bridge in June 2012, Getty Images
Mr Johnson gestures attends a Harry Potter studio tour of Diagon Alley, at the Warner Brother Studios, London, in December 2011. AP Photo
Mr Johnson gestures attends a Harry Potter studio tour of Diagon Alley, at the Warner Brother Studios, London, in December 2011. AP Photo
Mr Johnson at the launch of London's first cycle hire scheme in July 2010. Getty Images
Mr Johnson at the launch of London's first cycle hire scheme in July 2010. Getty Images
Mr Johnson with artists' impressions of the design for London's new Routemaster bus in May 2010. Getty Images
Mr Johnson with artists' impressions of the design for London's new Routemaster bus in May 2010. Getty Images
The candidates to be mayor of London; Labour's Ken Livingstone, Conservative Boris Johnson and Liberal Democrat Brian Paddick, being questioned on BBC's 'Newsnight' programme in April 2008. Getty Images
The candidates to be mayor of London; Labour's Ken Livingstone, Conservative Boris Johnson and Liberal Democrat Brian Paddick, being questioned on BBC's 'Newsnight' programme in April 2008. Getty Images
Boris Johnson on the North Pier in Blackpool during the Conservative Party conference there in October 2005. Getty Images
Boris Johnson on the North Pier in Blackpool during the Conservative Party conference there in October 2005. Getty Images
Mr Johnson at his desk in 2000 while he was a journalist for 'The Telegraph'. Getty Images
Mr Johnson at his desk in 2000 while he was a journalist for 'The Telegraph'. Getty Images
Mr Johnson when he was president of the Oxford Union society speaking to the Greek minister for culture Melina Mercouri when she addressed the union. Reuters
Mr Johnson when he was president of the Oxford Union society speaking to the Greek minister for culture Melina Mercouri when she addressed the union. Reuters
Boris Johnson in September 1979, at Eton School. Shutterstock
Boris Johnson in September 1979, at Eton School. Shutterstock

The Prime Minister's official spokesman responded by saying Mr Sunak "firmly believes it's a matter for Parliament".

He endorsed Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt's warning that "a very dim view will be taken" of anyone who "tries to prevent them from carrying out this serious work".

She also said the committee must be able to "work without fear or favour".

Mr Sunak's spokesman added: "We think this is a committee that's carrying out a function asked to by Parliament, it's a parliamentary matter, and the Leader of the House set out how we would want parliamentarians to engage with it."

No 10 Downing Street was also forced to deny it had delayed key announcements because of the distraction of Mr Johnson's inquiry.

"It's wrong to suggest government business changes as a result of this committee hearing," the spokesman said.

The hearing clashes with a crucial vote on Mr Sunak's new Brexit deal for Northern Ireland, which Democratic Unionist Party MPs plan to oppose.

An estimated £220,000 ($269,390) of taxpayers' money has been allocated for Mr Johnson's legal bills.

If the committee rules that he misled the house, they will consider whether it was "reckless or intentional" and amounted to a contempt of Parliament.

An interim report by the committee this month said evidence strongly suggested breaches of coronavirus rules would have been "obvious" to him, as prime minister at the time.

But Mr Johnson claimed it was "clear" he had not committed any contempt of Parliament, arguing there was "no evidence in the report that I knowingly or recklessly misled Parliament" or failed to update it in a timely manner.

Mr Johnson has also sought to cast doubt on the findings of Sue Gray's report on partygate, after she quit the civil service to take up a role in Labour leader Keir Starmer's office.

On BBC Radio 4's Westminster Hour, Mr Burns said: "I rate Harriet Harman highly, but she did tweet in April 2022 that if [Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak] admit guilt, by which she said was accepting a fixed penalty notice, then they are also admitting that they misled the House of Commons.

"Boris Johnson contests that but it seems to me the person who is chairing this committee has predetermined it and that causes me a degree of anxiety for Parliament's reputation in handling this with integrity."

The Privileges Committee is examining evidence around at least four occasions when Mr Johnson may have misled MPs with his assurances to the Commons that lockdown rules were followed.

The committee will publish its findings on whether Mr Johnson committed a contempt of Parliament and make a recommendation on any punishment but the ultimate decision will fall to the full House of Commons.

Mr Sunak has said he will not seek to influence MPs on the committee and is expected to grant a free vote in the Commons on any sanction that may be recommended.

A suspension of 10 sitting days or more for Mr Johnson could ultimately trigger a by-election in his Uxbridge and South Ruislip seat in London, which he held with a majority of 7,210 in 2019.

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The UK offers three programmes for residency. The UK Overseas Business Representative Visa lets you open an overseas branch office of your existing company in the country at no extra investment. For the UK Tier 1 Innovator Visa, you are required to invest £50,000 (Dh238,000) into a business. You can also get a UK Tier 1 Investor Visa if you invest £2 million, £5m or £10m (the higher the investment, the sooner you obtain your permanent residency).

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Portugal

The investment amount ranges from €350,000 to €500,000 (Dh1.5m to Dh2.16m) in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take a maximum of six months to receive a Golden Visa. Applicants can apply for permanent residency after five years and Portuguese citizenship after six years.

“Among European countries with residency programmes, Portugal has been the most popular because it offers the most cost-effective programme to eventually acquire citizenship of the European Union without ever residing in Portugal,” states Veronica Cotdemiey of Citizenship Invest.

Greece

The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Greece is €250,000, making it the cheapest real estate residency visa scheme in Europe. You can apply for residency in four months and citizenship after seven years.

Spain

The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Spain is €500,000. You can apply for permanent residency after five years and citizenship after 10 years. It is not necessary to live in Spain to retain and renew the residency visa permit.

Cyprus

Cyprus offers the quickest route to citizenship of a European country in only six months. An investment of €2m in real estate is required, making it the highest priced programme in Europe.

Malta

The Malta citizenship by investment programme is lengthy and investors are required to contribute sums as donations to the Maltese government. The applicant must either contribute at least €650,000 to the National Development & Social Fund. Spouses and children are required to contribute €25,000; unmarried children between 18 and 25 and dependent parents must contribute €50,000 each.

The second step is to make an investment in property of at least €350,000 or enter a property rental contract for at least €16,000 per annum for five years. The third step is to invest at least €150,000 in bonds or shares approved by the Maltese government to be kept for at least five years.

Candidates must commit to a minimum physical presence in Malta before citizenship is granted. While you get residency in two months, you can apply for citizenship after a year.

Egypt 

A one-year residency permit can be bought if you purchase property in Egypt worth $100,000. A three-year residency is available for those who invest $200,000 in property, and five years for those who purchase property worth $400,000.

Source: Citizenship Invest and Aqua Properties

Tamkeen's offering
  • Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
  • Option 2: 50% across three years
  • Option 3: 30% across five years 
Tomorrow 2021
Updated: March 21, 2023, 8:32 AM
Rishi SunakBoris Johnson